Reservoir device with inclined needle

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a flexible reservoir comprising first and second flexible foil portions sealed together to form an enclosed cavity adapted to contain a fluid, the reservoir having a pouch-like configuration defining a general plane, a needle-penetratable outlet being arranged on a portion of the reservoir which is inclined relative to the general plane. The apparatus further comprises a needle having a generally straight inlet portion and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the needle and the reservoir are arranged moveable relative to each from an initial position in which there is no fluid communication therebetween and a connected position in which the needle inlet is arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir through the reservoir outlet, and wherein the needle in the connected position penetrates the reservoir outlet substantially in parallel with the general plane.

1 . An apparatus ( 200 ), comprising: 
 a flexible reservoir ( 260 ,  400 ) defining a cavity for containing a fluid, the reservoir having a pouch-like configuration defining a general plane,    a needle-penetratable outlet ( 261 ,  410 ) arranged on a portion of the reservoir which is inclined relative to the general plane,    a needle ( 350 ,  450 ) having a generally straight inlet portion and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir,    wherein the needle and the reservoir are moveable relative to each from an initial position in which there is no fluid communication therebetween and a connected position in which the needle inlet is arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir through the reservoir outlet, and    wherein the needle in the connected position penetrates the reservoir outlet substantially in parallel with the general plane.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir has a first surface and an opposed second surface, at least the first surface having, in a fluid filled state of the reservoir, a generally convex configuration relative to the interior of the reservoir and the general plane, the outlet being arranged on the first surface.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises first and second portions ( 415 ,  416 ), the second portion being deflected relative to the first portion, the reservoir outlet being arranged on the second portion of the reservoir.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , the reservoir comprising first and second flexible foil portions ( 404 ,  405 ) sealed together to form the cavity.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , comprising a septum member ( 410 ) formed from a needle-penetratable self-sealing material, the septum member forming the reservoir outlet.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as in  claim 5 , wherein the septum member has been mounted on a foil portion of the reservoir by means of welding.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as in any  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a housing ( 251 ),    mounting means ( 562 ,  675 ,  677 ,  780 ) arranged within or formed by the housing,    wherein the mounting means engages the septum member to thereby mount the flexible reservoir relative to the housing.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein substantially the entire flexible reservoir apart from the outlet means is free to move relative to the housing.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising an expelling assembly ( 300 ,  670 ) having an inlet ( 321 ,  672 ) and an outlet ( 322 ) and an internal flow path arranged therebetween, the inlet being adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir, the expelling assembly being adapted to expel a fluid contained in the reservoir through the outlet of the expelling assembly.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as in  claim 9 , wherein the expelling assembly comprises a needle connector ( 350 ) serving as the inlet for the expelling assembly, 
 wherein the needle connector ( 350 ) is arranged within the interior of the expelling assembly in an initial state, the fluid connector comprising an inlet ( 351 ) and an outlet ( 353 ), whereby the needle connector is arranged to be operated from the initial state and to an operating state in which fluid communication is established between the interior of the reservoir and the interior of the expelling assembly via the needle connector and with the outlet of the needle connector being arranged in the flow path of the expelling assembly.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a transcutaneous device ( 212 ) adapted to penetrate the skin of a subject,    a mounting surface ( 232 ) adapted for application to the skin of the subject,    wherein the reservoir comprises a fluid drug, and    the expelling assembly, in a situation of use, is adapted for expelling the drug out of the reservoir and through the skin of the subject via the transcutaneous device.    
   
   
       12 . A method of connecting a flexible reservoir with a needle, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a flexible reservoir having a pouch-like configuration defining a general plane, the reservoir comprising a needle-penetratable outlet ( 261 ,  410 ) arranged on a portion of the reservoir inclined relative to the general plane,    providing a needle ( 350 ,  450 ) having a generally straight inlet portion, and    inserting the needle through the inlet substantially in parallel with the general plane thereby establishing a fluid communication between the needle and the reservoir.